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Vigneshwar Kasirajan, MD, FACS

Vigneshwar Kasirajan, MD, FACS

out of 5
108 Ratings
12 Comments

Specialty

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Department

Surgery

Locations

Ambulatory Care Center

417 N. 11th Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Get Directions

Education

Medical School

Madras Medical College

Internship

Government General Hospital

Residency

Cleveland Clinic

Government General Hospital

Fellowship

Cleveland Clinic

Biography

Driving the future of medicine with a team who ‘supports every person in their time of greatest need’

Your treatment with Dr. Vigneshwar Kasirajan begins with a conversation: “between me, you, and your family,” he says, “to understand your concerns, your questions, and to work together to solve a problem.”

Yet despite his specialty and renowned international reputation as a heart surgeon, surgical therapy may not always be the answer for each patient. “My goal as a surgeon is to look at each patient and determine the most appropriate care – whatever is best for the individual,” says Kasirajan. “Care may or may not mean heart surgery. Our desire is for each person to have good health, and we will do everything possible to make them better.”

Known to many simply as “Vig,” Dr. Kasirajan joined VCU Health in 2000, with clinical interests that have grown over time as the cardiac surgery and heart-transplantation fields have evolved and advanced. He specializes in heart bypass surgery, heart failure, valve repairs, transplantation, ventricular assist devices, artificial hearts, and surgical therapy of conditions such as atrial fibrillation and arrhythmias as well as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (thickening of the heart muscles).

Dr. Kasirajan’s father was a cardiologist, and growing up in India, Vig listened intently to his dad’s stories of surgeries and transplants, during an era when the heart surgery specialty was growing. Following in his father’s footsteps, Vig attended Madras Medical College before emigrating to the U.S., where he took a fellowship in cardiothoracic transplantation and mechanical-assist devices at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

At VCU Medical Center in 2006, Kasirajan led the first surgical team on the East Coast to implant the SynCardia Total Artificial Heart, the only device of its kind approved by the FDA. Peers will tell you Kasirajan’s work in the field of cardiovascular disease management has helped establish VCU Health as a national leader in artificial heart transplantation – the data supports Vig as one of the top total artificial heart surgeons in the world. He’s also at the forefront of international research in the use of artificial hearts and mechanical assist devices, in particular the left ventricular assist device, or LVAD.

As a physician within an academic health system – which includes both the VCU Medical Center and VCU School of Medicine – Kasirajan has the opportunity to collaborate and participate in groundbreaking research and international clinical trials. In his early career years in the 1990s, he studied coronary bypass procedures. As his career and knowledge has evolved, he has published a number of papers in peer-reviewed journals on the topics of LVADs, heart transplantation, and the total artificial heart.

“As an academic health system, VCU is driving the future of medicine. We innovate, create new knowledge, and educate a future of generation of heart surgeons and physicians,” he says. “Developing and sharing knowledge is critical for our society.”

Yet despite his lifelong knowledge, truly successful patient care requires a collaborative team, he explains.

“Your care at VCU is not just from me, it is a team its all of us – every person here, from the teams keeping the grounds and buildings looking beautiful, to the people who bring you food, to the therapists and physicians and nurses and care coordinators,” Dr. Kasirajan says. “We all come together for the sole purpose of improving each person’s welfare. Working as one, our top goal is to deliver care that is unique to each patient and gets them back to a healthy and productive life.”

And it is each patient – and that first conversation that begins a close relationship – that keeps him coming back downtown every day.

“I absolutely love my job and I love coming to work each and every day. This place, VCU…it energizes me,” he says. “When you see a patient after surgery and they’re living their best life and tell you they’re doing great, it makes everything worthwhile.”


A message for referring providers: To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kasirajan, call 804-828-2774.


Dr. Kasirajan on:

Heart disease:

During medical school, a patient outside a waiting room collapsed after suffering a heart attack. “The man had a young wife and children,” Dr. Kasirajan says. “That event made me realize that heart disease is a huge burden on society, and anything we as doctors can do to make the burden less is very important.”

Healthy hearts:

So much heart disease relates to one’s genetics. But there is a significant overlay of other environmental factors –pollution, exercise and diet. Salt intake is particularly dangerous for those with heart disease. As researchers, we are still working to understand the impact of genetics on heart disease. It is an active area of research.”

Life outside the hospital:

“I love coming to work. Work is not stressful for me; it is a joy. In those times when I am off, I enjoy spending time with my wife and children. We enjoy SCUBA diving, going hiking, and my wife and I try to run together every day.”

Clinical Interests

Cardiac Surgery
Re-operation
Coronary bypass surgery
Valve repairs
Surgery for heart failure
Transplantation
Transmyocardial laser revascularization
Surgical therapy for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Surgical therapy for atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias

Provider Videos

Ratings & Reviews

108 Ratings
12 Comments

Learn More About the Press Ganey Surveycompliance

Dr. Kasirajan pulled other providers into my appt. to be sure he had the best surgical plan possible.
March 2024
He is a wonderful dr. Highly recommend.
February 2024
Excellent discussion about [...] surgery and concerns were addressed.
November 2023
The provider explained the seriousness, importance, and expected results of upcoming surgery in ways that increased my confidence.
October 2023
Dr. Kasiraja is a very competent and skilled surgeon whom I have had full confidence in.
June 2023
I am very happy with this provider.
May 2023
Dr. Kasiraja explained all upcoming procedures and their necessity. He introduced me to the cardiac team and did his best to alleviate any concerns I have.
February 2023
Excellent surgeon and team.
August 2022
Dr. Kasirajan is the best. He saved my life. He is caring, responsive, dedicated and should be honored by VCU. Love this provider!!
August 2022
Dr. Kasirajan is absolutely the best!!! He is a blessing & his staff is absolutely amazing. I thank God for Dr. Kasirajan, his staff & all that helped me while at VCU Medical Center!
May 2022
This was an initial consult with prescribed tests fourth coming to and in decision making.
April 2022
Dr's. where excellent.
March 2022